The Digital Government (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2026
Authorized the sharing of data with energy suppliers to assist customers in debt and added new government departments to the list of bodies permitted to share information for specified objectives.
These regulations expand the legal framework for sharing government data with licensed gas and electricity suppliers to help identify and assist customers living in fuel poverty.
They authorize the disclosure of information to energy companies when it relates to debt relief requirements set by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (Ofgem) under the Gas Act 1986, the Electricity Act 1989, or the Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act 2018.
Additionally, the instrument updates the list of authorized government departments—specifically adding the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology—to correct a previous drafting error in earlier legislation.
Arguments For
The regulations state that the amendments enable the disclosure of information to energy suppliers to assist domestic customers in debt, specifically for improving their financial well-being.
The document notes that the instrument corrects a previous legal defect in S.I. 2023/424, ensuring the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology are correctly specified for data-sharing objectives.
Proponents may argue the measures facilitate more efficient delivery of fuel poverty relief by allowing the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (Ofgem) to impose debt relief requirements that utilize government-held data.
Arguments Against
Privacy advocates may express concern regarding the expansion of personal data disclosure to private energy companies, even if for debt relief purposes.
Legal observers might note that the regulations rely on future requirements imposed by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, meaning the specific impact depends on subsequent regulatory actions by Ofgem.
Some may question the lack of a full impact assessment, although the document asserts that no significant impact on the private or public sectors is foreseen.
- —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Digital Government (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2026. (2) These Regulations come into force on the day after the day on which they are made. (3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales and Scotland.
This section establishes the official title of the instrument and sets the commencement date as 18 September 2026.
It specifies that the legal changes apply to the jurisdictions of England, Wales, and Scotland.
- —(1) Section 36 of the Digital Economy Act 2017 is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (3)- (a) omit the 'or' at the end of paragraph (e); (b) after paragraph (f) insert- '(g) in the case of a disclosure to a licensed gas supplier, a debt relief requirement imposed by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority- (i) in the exercise of its powers under section 23(1)(b) of the Gas Act 1986 or section 1(2)(a) of the Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act 2018 (cap on standard variable and default rates), and (ii) for purposes that include assisting people living in fuel poverty by improving their financial well-being, or (h) in the case of a disclosure to a licensed electricity supplier, a debt relief requirement imposed by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority- (i) in the exercise of its powers under section 11A(1)(b) of the Electricity Act 1989 or section 1(2)(a) of the Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act 2018, and (ii) for purposes that include assisting people living in fuel poverty by improving their financial well-being.'. (3) In subsection (11), before the definition of 'domestic customer' insert- ''debt relief requirement' means a requirement to reduce or cancel sums owed by, or otherwise to assist, domestic customers who- (a) in a case within subsection (3)(g), are in debt to the supplier in respect of the supply of gas to them; (b) in a case within subsection (3)(h), are in debt to the supplier in respect of the supply of electricity to them;'.
This section amends the Digital Economy Act 2017 to permit the disclosure of information to energy suppliers when it is tied to 'debt relief requirements' ordered by the regulator.
It defines a 'debt relief requirement' as a mandate for suppliers to reduce, cancel, or otherwise provide assistance for debts owed by domestic customers.
This change allows data sharing to support specific fuel poverty measures initiated under energy sector statutes and the price cap act.
- —(1) The Schedule to the Digital Government (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2018 is amended as follows. (2) In paragraph 1(2)(c)(i) (specified objectives in relation to a specified person), after '6 to 8,' insert '9A, 9B,'.
This section updates the 2018 Regulations to include two additional government roles—the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology—within the scope of specific data-sharing objectives.
According to the explanatory note, this serves to rectify an error in a previous statutory instrument (S.I. 2023/424).
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